DAIL questions to the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, about whether any of his Ministers availed of the 1993 tax amnesty were ruled out of order yesterday.
The leader of the Progressive Democrats, Ms Mary Harney, who tabled the questions, said she was disappointed the Ceann Comhairle, Mr Sean Treacy, disallowed the queries.
But she said that if accountability were to mean anything, Mr Bruton should disclose the information to the House anyway.
She was told by the Ceann Comhairle that the matter was not the responsibility of the Taoiseach and her questions could not be asked of him.
"The Ceann Comhairle said other questions relating to the tax amnesty were also disallowed on the basis that it was the Taoiseach's prerogative who he appointed to Cabinet," she said.
Insisting the public has a right to know if ministers availed of the amnesty, Ms Harney said some of the present Cabinet also held ministerial office when the measure was introduced in 1993.
"It is legitimate for the public to know whether ministers who participated in the approval of the tax amnesty bestowed benefits on themselves and their families,", she added.
In October 1995, the Taoiseach told the Dail he had sought a declaration of financial interests from ministers on a scale never demanded before.
"For the initiative taken by the Taoiseach to have been really worthwhile, surely public disclosure of the details would have been the least we could have expected," Ms Harney said.
"I believe it is reasonable to expect that all office holders should have their tax affairs in order when they assume office."